Kwara State to Emerge as Africa's Innovation Hub, Says Commissioner

Date: 2024-12-07

The Commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Tourism in Kwara State, Damilola Adelodun, has expressed confidence in the state's potential to emerge as a global hub for high technology and innovation, akin to Silicon Valley in California, USA.

Adelodun highlighted the state's strategic investments in tech infrastructure and innovation hubs, which he believes will attract world-class companies and position Kwara as a leader in the tech ecosystem.

Silicon Valley, renowned as the headquarters for tech giants such as Apple Inc., HP Inc., eBay, and Netflix, serves as an inspiration for Kwara's vision to transform its economy through technological innovation and entrepreneurship.

Speaking about the activities of her ministry, Adelodun said, “In terms of legacy, one of the key projects I have been lucky to head is the Ilorin Innovation Hub. It is more of a large ICT centre, which is arguably the biggest in West Africa. We also have a partnership with IHS Towers, and there is a fund of about N1bn earmarked for the running and for the programmes, training, as well as start-ups and venture capitals that would come here. We have a mandate to at least bring up two unicorns before the end of 2025.”

Reacting to critics who are of the opinion that the state is not a technology hub and should focus on other pressing issues, the young and beautiful government official said, “Interestingly enough, Kwara State has a big tech community. There are a lot of tech businesses started by Kwarans, including Kuda Bank. So, in terms of a tech hub, Kwara is it, and we want it to be the next Silicon Valley. If you think tech, we want you to think Kwara; not Lagos or Abuja. That is the vision for Ilorin Innovation Hub.”

Shedding more light on why the state recently hosted the Best of Nollywood Awards, the commissioner said, “The Sugar Film Factory, where the event was held, is under the purview of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology. People often forget that entertainment and culture have a business element to them. That was why we refurbished the rundown facility, which used to be a sugar factor. The studio is currently equipped for news, podcast and movie productions. We also have a training institute for youths, actors and filmmakers.

“In sponsoring and hosting BON, we looked at the benefit it could bring to the state, especially in terms of showcasing Kwara. I think it was very successful and we are looking forward to have more in the state.

“Many of the actors, filmmakers and creatives who attended the event loved what they saw, and many of them already have plans to do things in the state.”

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Towobola Abdulrahman Toyin     Abatemi Usman     Ahmed Mohammed Rifun     Bola Sagaya     Afolasade Opeyemi Kemi     Kwara Apc     Arinola Fatimoh Lawal     Egbewole     Azeez Salawu     Elerinjare     Oba-Solagberu     Afeyin-Olukuta     Monsurat Omotosho     CELF     Tayo Alao     Oke-Kura     Oluwarotimi Boluwatife Adenike     Segun Ogunsola     Senior Special Assistant On Student Affairs     Muritala Awodun     Emir Of Lafiagi     Salihu Ajibola Ajia     Abioye Bello     Chief Imam Of Ilorin     Standard Organization Of Nigeria     Sa\'adatu Modibbo-Kawu     Adamu Atta     Yusuf Amuda Gobir     Ibrahim Oniye     Malete     Dan-Kazeem     Tsaragi/Share     Agor     Principal Private Secretary     Tunde Oyawoye     Muhammed Aliyu     Amasa     TESCOM     Owo Isowo     Adebara     Emmanuel Olatunji Adesoye     Haruna Tambiri Mohammed     Lola Olabayo     Okin Group     Abdulrazaq Solihudeen     Aliyu Kora-Sabi     Issa Oloruntogun     Emir Of Ilorin     Gbenga Olawepo     Kwara State Internal Revenue Service     Olabimpe Olani     Muhammadu Buhari     Awodun     Irepodun     April 11     Aliyu Olatunji Ajanaku     Theophilus Oyebiyi     Abubakar Abdulraheem     Simeon Ajibola     Okin Biscuit     Ajakaye     Kwara Restoration Project     Bayo Ojo     Unicontinental Construction Company     Jide Oyinloye     BECE     Timothy Olatunde Fadipe     Majlis For Sadakah, Zakat And Waqf     Abdulquawiy Olododo     Economic And Financial Crimes Commission     Noah Yusuf     Baruten     Share-Tsaragi     Bankole Omisore     Alabe     AbdulRazaq Jiddah     Salau Kabiru Abdullahi    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Olabanji Orilonishe     Halimah Perogi     07039448763     Funke Adedoyin     Bukola Ajikobi     Damilola Yusuf     Presidential Election     AbdulQowiy Olododo     CKNG     Habeeb Saidu     Ajia-Bako     M.Y. Abdulrahaman     Shuaib Abdulkadir     Ahmed Shuaib Buranga     Wole Oke     Sebastine Obasi     Abdulmajeed Wahab     Henry Olaosebikan     Busari Toyin Isiaka     Societe Generale Bank Of Nigeria     Principal Private Secretary     Moji Makanjuola     Ibrahim Mohammed     Baakini     Ope Saraki     Damilola Yusuf Adelodun     Apaokagi     Ilesha Gwanara Road     Zainab Abass     ASMAU PLAZA     2017 Budget     SSA Youth     Maimunat Oniyangi     Yahaya Oloriegbe     Adisa Logun     Akanji     Alliance For Democracy     Yomi Adeboye     Lawal Jimoh     Abdulwahab Oba     Mumeen Lah     Kudirat Arinola Lawal     Oasis Muslim Care Foundation     Pategi     Durbar     Grillo     Abdulsalam Firdaous Amosa     Trade Lenda SME Fair     Sodiya     Tuesday Assayomo     Kola Bukoye     Otoge     Azeez Salawu     ASKOMP     Aremu Bose Deborah     Demola Banu     Femi Ogunsola     Adamu Attah     JUSUN     Olatinwo     Olokoba Sulyman     Bond     Kayode Oyin Zubair     Code Of Conduct     Iyaloja-General     Isin     Aishatu Ahmed Gobir     Wahab Egbewole     Atunwa     Maryam A. Garuba     Alao Ayotunde     Ijakadi     Olawuyi     CBT     Gobir     Ayobola Ipinlaiye     Prince Bola Ajibola